Sports
Cooper Lutkenhaus, 17, captures 800 meters at USATF Outdoor Championships
Jul 26, 2026; New York, NY, USA; Cooper Lutkenhaus wins the 800m in 1:43.48 during the USATF Championships at Icahn Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-Imagn Images Cooper Lutkenhaus, at 17 the youngest competitor by four years, became one of the youngest USATF outdoor champions when he captured the 800 meters in a time of 1 minute, 43.48 seconds.
The Texas high school senior was third at the halfway point but ran 25.32 over the final 200 meters to rally for victory.
The victory took place on Sunday, the final day of competition at the USA Track and Field Outdoor Championships at Ichan Stadium in New York.
“My plan was to move with 200 (meters to go),” Lutkenhaus said after the race. “… I kind of went back to last year, and I was like, 200, 250 out, that’s when we’re going to really push, and that’s what I did today.”
Lutkenhaus is the current U.S. and world champion in the indoor 800 meters.
In the men’s 200 meters, four-time defending world champion Noah Lyles sprinted out to a lead at the halfway point but eased up into the stretch. American indoor record holder Garrett Kaalund earned his first gold, crossing the tape in 20.04.
“I just felt a grabbing sensation. I was like, ‘Yeah, this is the time to stop. There’s no reason to push this,’ ” Lyles told NBC Sports. “It was a somewhat of a cramp. I’m fine. I just need to get stretched out, get some electrolytes in my system, but I’ll be good.”
Vincent Ciattei, who captured silver in the 1,500 meters on Saturday, ran a blistering 54.36 in the final 400 meters to capture the 5,000 title in 13:46.75. Ciattei was seventh with 600 meters remaining, but edged Cooper Teare (13:46.88) at the wire.
Chris Nilsen, the 2021 Olympic silver medalist and American indoor record holder, captured his fourth career USATF outdoor men’s pole vault gold. He cleared 5.82 meters (19 feet, 1 inch) in his first attempt and held on for the victory.
Jordan Geist led after every round and earned gold with a final throw of 22.33 meters (73-2 3/4) in the shot put. Geist earned silver at the 2026 World Indoor Championships.
Christopher Robinson dominated the men’s 400 hurdles, recording a season-best time of 47.61 and winning by nearly one second over James Smith II, who set a personal best with a time of 48.53.
To wrap up the meet, reigning world champion Cordell Tinch edged Bradley Franklin in the 110 hurdles. Tinch outleaned Franklin, beating him by .004 seconds with a 13.00 mark.
On the women’s side, Melissa Jefferson-Wooden cruised past the field in the 200 meters, posting the world’s third-best time in 2026.
Jefferson-Wooden, who won three gold medals (100, 200, 4×100) at the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, won by over a half-second, crossing the tape in 21.69. Cambrea Sturgis (22.22) earned silver, while Camryn Dickson (22.58) captured bronze.
Valarie Sion led after every round of the discus competition and topped the field with a throw of 69.54 meters (228-2) in the fourth round to win her eighth consecutive USATF title. Cierra Jackson improved with each round, but her penultimate throw of 67.40 (221-1) was only good enough for second place.
“Every year it has felt like such a different challenge,” Sion said. “I loved it being her in New York, it was a new environment. This field was so competitive, by far the most competitive of I’ve ever been a part of.”
On her final jump, Olympic and world champion Tara Davis-Woodhall appeared to capture the long jump, but her effort of 7.16 meters was taken down due to a protest and ruling of a foul. She finished third with a leap of 6.90 meters (22-7 3/4) in the second round, behind champion Alyssa Jones (6.96; 22-10) and runner-up Monae’ Nichols (6.92; 22-8 1/2).
Emily Mackay, who earned bronze in the 1,500 meters on Saturday night, made a strong late move to win the 5,000 meters. She was nearly even with Shelby Houlihan with 120 meters left, but ended up winning by nearly two seconds (14:55.82).
Nia Akin, who won 800 meter USATF outdoor titles in 2023-24, ran 14.06 over the final 100 meters to capture a third title with a mark of 1:59.25. Akins, who won back-to-back crowns in 2023-24, was near last place at the halfway mark, but nearly broke the one-minute mark in the final 400 meters (1:00.06) to set a season-best time of 1:59.25.
Vashti Cunningham earned her eighth USATF outdoor gold in the women’s high jump, besting Charity Hufnagel. Both competitors cleared 1.92, but Cunningham had fewer misses at lesser heights to triumph.
Anna Cockrell, the 2024 Olympic silver medalist, won her first USATF outdoor title in the 400 hurdles, posting a winning mark of 52.94.
–Field Level Media
Sports
Freddy Peralta says Sunday was 'probably' his final Mets start
Jul 20, 2026; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; New York Mets pitcher Freddy Peralta (51) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-Imagn Images Freddy Peralta believes he may have made his final start for the New York Mets on Sunday, with the struggling club expected to trade the right-hander before the Aug. 3 deadline.
Peralta conceded the likelihood of a move after allowing three runs — two earned — on six hits and two walks over four innings in an 8-3 victory against the Los Angeles Dodgers. He needed 93 pitches to record 12 outs and finished with three strikeouts.
“I know it probably is,” Peralta said when asked whether he believes that was his last time pitching for the Mets.
Peralta is currently scheduled to start Friday against the Miami Marlins, but New York has little incentive to retain an impending free agent after falling well outside the National League playoff picture.
The Mets acquired Peralta from the Milwaukee Brewers during the offseason with the expectation that he would lead their rotation. Instead, the two-time All-Star has gone 5-9 with a 4.99 ERA through 22 starts, going at least six innings only six times.
His struggles have become more pronounced of late. Peralta has not recorded a quality start since June 3 and has posted a 7.34 ERA since that outing.
“I know so far I’ve let them down,” Peralta said. “I haven’t done what I was supposed to do.”
The 30-year-old entered the season coming off a career-best season going 17-6 with a 2.70 ERA and 204 strikeouts over 176 2/3 innings with Milwaukee. That track record, along with the demand for starting pitching among contenders, should keep him among New York’s most marketable deadline pieces despite his recent results.
Peralta said he remains confident he can rediscover his previous form, whether that opportunity comes with the Mets or another organization.
“We haven’t done what we expected to do, in general, but especially myself,” Peralta said. “I know I can be way better than this. I still believe in myself. I was born to be a winner and not a loser. I think I have a lot in me, a lot to show. I know it can change because I still have time to make a change.”
–Field Level Media
Sports
Stephen Curry's Future With the Warriors Suddenly Feels Less Certain
You can add the Golden State Warriors to your list of teams that missed out on LeBron James this summer.
The Warriors, Cleveland Cavaliers and Miami Heat are all probably a little miffed about LeBron’s drawn out decision to join the Philadelphia 76ers in free agency.
But as Golden State appears stuck in the middle of a loaded Western Conference, reports are circulating that superstar guard Stephen Curry might no longer be on the same page as the front office.
“I think he’s probably tired of the star chasing,” The Athletic’s Marcus Thompson II reported.
After Kevin Durant’s departure, the Warriors won the 2022 NBA Championship by defeating the Boston Celtics. That was Steph’s first championship, and Curry won his first career Finals MVP.
But the Warriors have failed to reach the mountaintop since that last title six years ago. Curry is older. Draymond Green is older. Klay Thompson left Golden State in 2024 to join the Dallas Mavericks.
Curry is eligible for an extension at the end of August, and it’ll be very fascinating to see what the 38-year-old decides to do. If he decides to wait on a contract extension, Curry will be an unrestricted free agent in 2027. Even at 39, he would have no shortage of suitors if he decides to keep playing.
It’s so hard to imagine Curry in anything but a Warriors jersey. Right now, he’s faced with an interesting dilemma. He can become one of the rare NBA stars to play their entire career with the same team. It helps his case to be mentioned in the same breath as what Kobe Bryant meant to the Los Angeles Lakers and what Tim Duncan meant to the San Antonio Spurs.
On popular prediction markets, like Kalshi, that allow users to buy and sell contracts of real-world outcomes, Curry certainly has a chance to be moved. Kalshi has a market for Stephen Curry’s next team – if the future Hall of Famer is moved ahead of October 21, 2026.
It would be a blockbuster surprise if Curry were to be traded months before the deadline. But as of July 26, over $135,000 in volume has been traded on Curry’s next team.
On Kalshi, the overwhelmingly most likely outcome is for Curry to remain with the Warriors or retire by October 21st, an implied 87% chance of happening. They give the Spurs a 13% chance, the Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks both have an 11% chance and Curry’s hometown Charlotte Hornets have a 9% chance. These odds will fluctuate by the minute.
Don’t expect the Warriors to trade Curry before the calendar flips to 2027. It would be a huge surprise if they did. But this report of a slight rift is something that bears monitoring.
Curry is still one of the great guards in this sport. He has a legacy to think about. And he just watched his buddy LeBron leave a pretty comfortable situation with the Lakers to gamble on bringing a championship to his fourth franchise.
Winning is what makes these greats happy. They want to contend for championships. The Warriors are planning for their future, so of course Curry doesn’t like that.
Sports
White Sox acquire RHP Jose Urquidy in trade with Pirates
Mar 9, 2026; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates starting pitcher Jose Urquidy (65) throws a pitch against the New York Yankees in the third inning during spring training at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images The Chicago White Sox acquired right-hander Jose Urquidy from the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday in exchange for minor league pitcher Felix Doroteo.
Pittsburgh designated Urquidy for assignment Friday after he struggled during a brief five-game stint with the Pirates. The 31-year-old went 0-1 with an 8.53 ERA and six strikeouts over 6 1/3 innings out of the bullpen.
Urquidy spent most of the year with Triple-A Indianapolis, posting a 5-4 record and 3.66 ERA across 17 starts. He struck out 73 batters over 83 2/3 innings.
The former Houston Astros starter owns a 27-17 record and 4.07 ERA in 86 major league appearances, including 70 starts, over seven seasons with the Astros, Detroit Tigers and Pirates.
Urquidy underwent his second Tommy John surgery in 2024 before returning with Detroit last season.
Pittsburgh receives Doroteo, a 21-year-old right-hander in his first professional season. He went 3-2 with a 4.50 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 18 innings across 16 appearances for the Arizona Complex League White Sox.
–Field Level Media
Freddy Peralta says Sunday was 'probably' his final Mets start
Stephen Curry's Future With the Warriors Suddenly Feels Less Certain
